Re: I'm a Bride of 2006!

I am a bride of ’06 and I’m damn proud of it!

I am writing this to discuss how to plan your marriage. Am I an expert?!?! HELL NO!!! I just think many lose sight of the real goal while wedding planning (including myself).

I met my DH in college and it took us 7 years just to get to our first date. I was engaged in September 2004 and came right to this site. I’m not from Long Island and I never thought I could afford a Long Island wedding. It took me a long time to finally get to the chat rooms. I do regret that. I wish I could’ve met and talked with many of you long before I did.

If you remember one thing about your planning: Plan for your marriage, not just your wedding. Your wedding is one day. Many of us lose sight of the fact that we are marrying the love of our lives. If we didn’t have a good foundation we never would’ve survived the hurdles that came our way in our first year of marriage. (Read on for more of that.)

Take a reality check: If you have a problem before marriage, it doesn’t magically disappear when the ring gets slipped on your finger. If you don’t communicate, then you better rethink what you’re doing. Talk about everything!!!!! Finances, kids, what you plan on doing in 1 year, 5 years, 10 years. Are you going to have joint bank accounts? Do you want kids? What would you do if you couldn’t have kids? What would you do if you lost your job? Do you want to live in your current town? What are your dreams? What have you done in the past month to show your FH that you love him?

Priorities change. Most of us had ‘horrible’ times with wedding planning. To me, the world stopped when I found out that there were no wedding stamps with the new postage before I sent out my invitations. How can I send invitations with flag stamps?!?!?! Then my world stopped when members of the wedding party started dropping out. How dare they have their own lives?!?!?! Then my world stopped when some of the bridesmaid dresses did not make it in time for the wedding. Can I tell you something? I just went through old posts to remind me what happened that angered me during the planning process. I totally forgot these ‘horrible’ things happened.

You want to know when my world truly stopped? One month after we got married my husband was hospitalized unexpectedly. Days later, he was wheeled into surgery. As he was being prepped for surgery my phone rang. It was my doctor. They found a tumor in my head. I felt like I was suffocating. We should’ve been enjoying newlywed life. Instead, we should’ve had our own parking spots at the hospital. If we hadn’t had a strong foundation, we never would’ve made it through. You must be prepared for being a wife! Being a bride is all ‘la de da’. Being a wife is real.

Many of the same things I wanted to write are mentioned above by other ’06 brides. Details are great, but don’t get obsessed about them. Matching BM shoes: Does it really matter? Make something yourself for the wedding. Even if you aren’t crafty and think you have no time, make something yourself. Check out the DIY board for ideas. I did my own ring bearer pillows, unity candles and card box. I am so glad I did!!!!!!!!! It was my own touch!! I really think my review says a lot:


My review

Just so you know how much priorities change: We still haven't made our appt to get our albums or video done. It'll happen at some point.

I wish you the best of luck in your wedding planning!! My post is not meant to scare you. I just think many of us get caught up on being a bride and don’t think about being a wife. Good luck with your planning!! And remember to have fun! I will be checking out your photos and reviews!!!!!!

Here's some of my pics:








Our thank you pic:

Re: I'm a Bride of 2006!

I can't add much more than what the other ladies have already stated.

I'm just proud to have been apart of this board and your lives and I wish you all the happiness, health and luck in the world.

And I'm going to forget my fear of being recognized on here -- much love to you all:

Re: I'm a Bride of 2006!

I have learned so many lessons since I have become a part of this website and this board in particular. Most of them have nothing to do with weddings. My wedding was planned in my head for years before I even met DH. I pretty much needed the guy to make it all happen.

As an 06er, I learned:
Above all else, family comes first.

As many of you know, my family had its share of grief and heartache in the year before and months past our wedding. During the beginning of DH's and my courtship, my father fell ill and had been in the hospital to stay there for 9 months in a semi-conscious vegetative state. A few months into his hospitalization, my mother had been diagnosed with heart disease and required triple bypass heart surgery or she would surely suffer a heart attack. I had 2 parents in the hospital at the same time for one month. After Mom's recovery, Dad took a turn for the worse and we were sadly faced with signing a DNR document to spare him from further suffering. Ed was in the process of buying the ring, but we did not know if my father would live to know or feel that his baby was going to get married. We told him bedside in ICU. By the grace of G-d, Dad lived another three months and I firmly believe he waited for us to make the plans we needed to make so I could have my special day. Just 7 weeks before the wedding as the responses were falling in, my mother fell and broke two vertebrae in her back while on vacation out of town. She had surgery and had to be medi-vaced back to NY for 4 weeks of rehabilitation so she could be at my wedding. It was touch and go. She almost didnt make it because she had falln twice in rehab.

The experiences above guided me throughout my planning process and allowed me to plan our day in my Dad's spirit knowing that he WOULD be there to celebrate with us. He was there. I am forever indebted to the 06 brides for their support during one of the most difficult time in my life. You showed me that it is possible to have a balance and with the happy comes the sad. I can distinctly remember getting hugs during father daughter dances at every wedding I went to after my own. The support you gave to me was insurmountable. Thank you.

I would have given back everything to have had him there to walk me down the aisle, yet at the same time, I am grateful to have had my mother and siblings there.

My brother stood in for Dad at all of the right times:


I made so many good friends in the year before my wedding and was fortunate that some were able to join me on my special day:

One even got lucky!


I was an early 06er and most of the relationships I have developed with the 06ers did not come to fruition until after my own wedding. I wish I had been just as close to everyone at the time of my function to have been able to include them in my celebration as they included me in theirs:









We entered our friendships as brides with the common bond of wanting to have the perfect day. Before, during and after our wedding year, there were multitudes of GTGs where we could just be 06ers without the veils and slipper baskets:



Now that we are past being brides, many of us are Moms, becoming moms or are trying to be Moms. Its like an evolution of sorts. It is hard to believe I know some of you for almost 3 years and I cannot imagine my life without you. There have been threads that make me cry, threads that make me angry, and threads that make my sides split.

To think that I may not be able to continue in this forum saddens me deeply. Sorry Ron and Liz, but LIF doesn't do for me there what the LIW 06 board does for me here. It is a different feeling and a different world. Where else but with my 06ers specifically can I have times like this:


( I am the proud owner of the only existing LIW thong)


DH could never really understand how I became entranced by this website and pretty much disapproved from the get go

But even DH benefitted from our friendships:



In the end, the best piece of advice I can offer to any bride, is rather simple. Remember why you are getting married. It isn't about the flowers or the cake or if your friggin invitations match your bridesmaid dresses - if you think people notice, they dont. I really never understood why people care about invitations and BM dresses. I think it is the most ridiculous and a$$inine thing about wedding planning EVER - THERE I SAID IT!!! NA NA NA NA NAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH NA!!!!!

What they do notice is you and your DH - nothing else matters.











Goodbye 06ers. It was an honor and pleasure:


My review if you would like to see:


REVIEW

Message edited 1/1/2008 12:47:33 PM.

Re: I'm a Bride of 2006!

aww leslie... so sweet!

Re: I'm a Bride of 2006!

My name is Stacey I am a bride of 2006!The best year of my life!!! I married Keith my boyfriend of 7 years on December 8th 2006. I had a winter Christmas theme wedding. It was everything I ever dreamed of and more. I cant believe it was a year ago. It seems like yesterday.
I came across Liweddings way too late in my planning however it managed to help me so much. I mean I never would have even thought of the idea of votive placecards before coming here!! I dont want to write much but I do want to say thank you to all the great girls that offered their help and advice when I needed it. This website seems like a family!!! Thank you a million times!!!
ADVICE
Just take a moment to look around. I told my bridesmaids to remind me to stop and absorb the wedding because I kknew I would forget. It goes so fast it feels like a dream!! Congratulations and Best wishes to all future brides!!

Message edited 12/30/2007 8:01:23 PM.

Re: I'm a Bride of 2006!

I am a Bride of 2006.

I became engaged on October 8, 2005 and found LIW to be a remarkable source of information as I started the planning process. I found most of my vendors here, based on the recommendations of other Brides. Through all the craziness and stress and uncertainty of planning, I found solace in my fellow '06 Brides.

The planning was the longest part of the whole process and the reward was so worth it. My wedding day was a perfect dream! The best advice I received was to stop every once in a while, look around, and take everything in because it really does go by too fast. I loved every part of our day.

I also found some very enduring friendships! I am so blessed to be a Bride of '06. Through the good and the bad (99% good!), you ladies were here with an endless supply of support, advice, and most of all laughter.

Thank you each and every one of you for the memories. I had the priviledge of being part of a very special group of Brides...and I wouldn't want it any other way. I wish each of you a lifetime of love and happiness.

Rock on my lovely '06'ers!

Image Attachment(s):

Message edited 12/30/2007 11:29:13 PM.

Re: I'm a Bride of 2006!

bump - last day to get some more 06ers on here!

Re: I'm a Bride of 2006!

I joined LIW in late 2005. I never in a million years thought I would ever join a "chat board". But there was something about this site that I couldn't resist. This website is about so much more than planning a wedding. Because after you get married you realize (and some do before) that it is not about the matching napkins and matchbooks. It's not whether or not you think having a chocolate fountain is "tacky" or your mom or MIL wears black to your wedding. It's about the love you share with your DH. It's about the memories the 2 of you shared prior to your marriage and the memories you will create. I often forget details about my wedding. But the one thing I never forget is the smile my husband had on his face or the tears in his eyes when we said our vows. That meant more to me than anything.

I said what I needed to say about my wedding in my review.

Thank you LIW for friendships, laughs and tears. I am proud to be an 06 bride.

Here are some photos in addition to the ones in my review/album. Good luck and best wishes to all!

Re: I'm a Bride of 2006!

BUMP

Re: I'm a Bride of 2006!

This is just such a beautiful thread!!! I hope you keep it going for us to keep reading and sharing with you!!!!

Re: I'm a Bride of 2006!

I'm Katie and a very proud '06er! I got engaged November 12, 2005 and joined LIW immediately thereafter (it may have even been before that since I felt it coming!) When I joined I saw all these girls posting with thousands of postings and was quite intimidated that they all seemed to be friends. But I did my best to jump in and before I knew it, I was addicted, and to be quite frank, still am. I love sticking around to help the new brides, even though I'm now an old married lady. I wish I had been engaged earlier so I could have been on the boards even sooner!

I married Chris, the love of my life, on November 18, 2006 and it was a day that will forever be etched in my mind and heart. They say nothing is perfect in the world, but to us, that day was. We had amazing vendors, and the most beautiful and generous family and friends.

My words of wisdom:
*Go with the flow. It WILL all get done. It's easy to get caught up in all of the details, but do your best to focus on one thing at a time. Start with the things that can be the most daunting for you first, and then enjoy the fun, little things later. Ask for help, or skip it alltogether.

*Sweat the small stuff. No, not that your BM wants to wear closed-toed silver shoes instead of open and strappy like you asked. Or that your FMIL stinks and just doesn't get it. Or that your pew bows are a slightly different shade of ivory than your aisle runner. Make the day personal and a true reflection of you and DH! People WILL notice the little things and will talk about it for years to come (or at least a year so far in my case!) We made each aspect of our ceremony and reception very personal - not only did it bring DH and I closer during the craziness of planning, but our guests were truly touched by the things we did to make our wedding different and unique (check out review for details). DIY if you can't find what you want - this is what I did and now enjoy doing for other brides.

*Don't forget about yourself. I got myself so wrapped up in the details and worrying about everyone/everything else, I found myself scrambling at the last minute to do the things that I needed for myself. Shopped for my dress late, shoes and undergarments even later, and booked makeup and hair even later than that. It all worked out in the end, but I wish I didn't put that stress on myself and wish I had that joy of shopping, etc. that brides are supposed to have. Remember that this day is about you and DH, so focus on you both first.

*Soak in the entire day. I had this idea of a wedding in my head from the time I was five - there was NO way I was going to let it pass without treasuring every moment. I remember the church doors opening, the trumpets playing my song, individual faces of my friends and family as I walked down the aisle, and finally the instant I saw my DH crying at the altar. It still gives me chills. Calm yourself down before you walk down the aisle so you have the same great memories I do.

*Eat, drink, and be merry. I didn't get to eat enough of my CH food, but DH and I made a point to eat our dinner together, amidst 200 of the most important people to us. It was magical to sit in the front of the room and again, soak it all in. Dance til your feet ache, thank people, and step back every so often and take a mental picture of how you feel that exact moment.

*Make it a weekend if you can. I always thought I wanted a Saturday evening wedding, but when we realized that half to three-quarters of our guests would be OOTers, it was more important to us to maximize our time with them than have the evening wedding. We had an early RD on Friday so that we could greet all our guests at our hotel bar. We had an amazing after party (more than half our guests came) that allowed us to talk and spend time with everyone in a more relaxed way than at the reception.

*Be patient with everyone involved in your planning - no one cares as much about your wedding as you do - and as much as this sometimes *****, it's reality.

*Go with your gut on vendors, inviting people to be in your BP, etc. You will almost always be right. Negotiate, and remember that it never hurts to ask for something that you want.

*Love your DH - he will be the one standing at your side when all the hooplah is over. The wedding is a single day, the marriage is for a lifetime. Don't forget that!

To all the future brides, and especially to all my beautiful 06ers, may you have a lifetime of love, happiness, and a million magical memories.

MY REVIEW

I tried to upload pics but I am in Italy at the moment and it's not working! Check out my review!


































Love and best wishes to all - see you on LIF!

Message edited 3/3/2008 9:19:13 PM.

Re: I'm a Bride of 2006!

Gotta keep this at the top of page 1!

Re: I'm a Bride of 2006!

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Posted by ewickens

Gotta keep this at the top of page 1!

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Re: I'm a Bride of 2006!

I love hearing all of our stories. I'm going to miss this board!

Re: I'm a Bride of 2006!

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Posted by ewickens

Gotta keep this at the top of page 1!

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Re: I'm a Bride of 2006!

I am a bride of ’06 and I’m damn proud of it!

I was married on October 28th 2006.

Thank you all for the advice and wisdom that this site have given to me. I will treasure it in my heart forever!

Cheers to many many happy and healthy years!

Re: I'm a Bride of 2006!

Bumping for any last brides!

Re: I'm a Bride of 2006!

Need to keep this at the top!!!!!!

Re: I'm a Bride of 2006!

Bumping to be at the top!!!!!!!!

Re: I'm a Bride of 2006!

I am a Bride of 2006.

I suppose, having been with my then boyfriend for 11 years upon our engagement, I could have been a bride of any year. .

my wedding is not what makes me a bride of 2006. It was you girls. the friends that I've made...my wedding of any year would have been the happiest day of my life....you girls made 2006 feel like a YEAR...OUR YEAR...of our weddings...and made it oh so special to me.

I am a city girl, but after being introduced to this website by an '05 bride, I never looked anywhere else

I won't advise future brides on their weddings as my '06ers before me have covered all the bases (but I'll link my review if you want my take LOL )

I'll give you what being a bride of 06 meant to me.

it meant new friendships, different perspectives, fighting and loving like sisters or the closest friends do. It meant sharing my greatest joy as well as my greatest loss

through everything, the women of this board showed me what being an 06er was truly about. Even if we didn't always see eye to eye, when we needed each other most, we were there. I have been amazed and inspired by the love, friendship, generosity, and camraderie of the woman of our year.

More than any other time in my life (high school, college) I will remember you all with fondness.

As our board is locked on this website, it's memory is locked in my heart and mind. you've helped me, even during times when you didn't know I needed your help, and I will never ever forget it.

Future brides, my only advice to you is that you truly understand and realize the strength of the women you encounter here. Their goodness, kindness, intelligence, sense of humor, and most of all depth of compassion. Celebrate each other. Make friends. And enjoy every minute.

I truly am grateful to ALL of the women of 2006. I wish you much success, health, and love in your lives.

As Bono reminds us, "we are one, but we are not the same" This is what 2006 has meant to me.





































Thank You

Message edited 1/3/2008 12:05:27 PM.

Re: I'm a Bride of 2006!

I am a bride of 2006

I found this perculiar website weeks after I got engaged to the most wonderful man. I plan events for a living and thought my wedding planning would be a breeze. I stumbled on a website called "Lawg I-LAND" weddings and found people who were sharing and devulging in all the things I had been thinking about. I did not want to post because I didn't like chat rooms. I lurked....


I am a bride of 2006

I began to see that many woman were going through the same adventure as I, all the decisions and attention to detail. I began to meet, and share and chat. A tee shirt arrived in the mail.....


I am a bride of 2006

I realized that I wasn't getting married where everyone was, and that was okay. I still shared my ideas, thoughts and found many cheerleaders and friends. I "borrowed" some fabulous ideas and made them my own. I learned your shoes didn't have to match your cocktail napkins....

I was a bride of 2006

I walked down that aisle on October 14th, I awoke to the sun shining on my face (I planned for it to rain, no need to blow smoke up my own coolie)
I was so happy to share my day with some other gorgeous brides and I was thrilled in know my wedding was the best and well planned.

I couldn't wait to see pictures, write a review, get those thank yous out....

I was a bride of 2006

I hated my photos I cried and I cried, no one understood like the girls on 06. I sent out my thank yous 9 months later, I did it my way. No review to be had.

Future brides unite! DO IT YOUR WAY. Have drink menus at your wedding, light cigars, enjoy, think out of the box but remember to make sure every guest is happy. Have attention to detail, surprise your family with little aspects that will make your day your own.

I pride myself on the fact that I did things my way.


I am a bride of 2006

I made friendships here that I think will last forever. I will someday be preggo with many ladies on here that have shared some of the most important times in my life. I am grateful

Here are some pics (non pro, of course) and my !!!!
video

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Message edited 1/3/2008 2:55:33 PM.

Re: I'm a Bride of 2006!

and a few more!

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Re: I'm a Bride of 2006!

This is the collage I created 1 year ago. I can't find the updated collage and if Ron is locking us tomorrow, then I won't have time to update it. Either way, this is the collage of some of the brides of 2006.

Re: I'm a Bride of 2006!

I came to this board unengaged in 2003 thinking it was right around the corner...well it wasn't in my cards & DH & I actually broke up a few months later. WELL it was for the best & 8 months later we got back together & we're engaged w/i 6 months. That's when the planning really started.

These boards were a saving grace for me....they were my resource for everything from where to find a cool gift for my RB to how to make votives (shoot me now!) to great places for a RD.

In the process I learned all the lingo & still tend to use it (in my emails, etc.)....DH, MOH, BM, HM, MIL, RD, etc.

No question was too stupid to ask, although some things were tacky

Yet through it all we were there to support e/o and hear other's ideas and then slowly the wedding pics started to come and one by one we started getting married, having beautiful weddings and terrific HM's. YET we still didn't leave.....we continued to come back and chat about Fred or plan GTG's or talk about our married life. It always seemed the 06'ers were tight. Sure, we had our moments/disagreements/drama but through it all we were rockin' on!

I'm going to miss each & every one of you girls & I can't thank Ron/Liz (& Kim) enough for this board...through it first I was able to have a wonderful wedding with things I never would have had otherwise (photo box, ribbon wands, We Do letters & some wonderful vendors) BUT best of all are the wonderful friends I've made and continue to be close with. Those friends are no longer the engaged girls worried about bo-k's and bachelorette parties, but now are either starting families, hoping to start families, buying homes or enjoying their 2nd year of married bliss

For the brides to be....don't sweat the small stuff, its been said time & time again, but in a year you will care less if your bm's shoes matched or if you had a signature drink... Be sure to have full faith in your photographer b/c when the day is done that is all you have left to show for it.
Take a minute to step back from it all that day & look around, take it all in, the little things & the smiles on people's faces.
Through it all, REMEMBER it's not about the day at all, but about your lifetime together....

I love you girls.....here's some pics of my special day.

First some GTG's through the years...
2005 I TGIF's

Cozymels

TGIF's
Cozymel's...April 2005



TGIF's

& the infamous ring shot, we always did

2006 Cozymels

Cindy still rockin' on




A Bachelorette party



My wedding day
















LIW Ring around the bride

Rockin' on

Message edited 1/4/2008 1:28:34 PM.

Re: I'm a Bride of 2006!

I am a Bride of 2006...

And a late comer! Though I posted here and there throughout my planning, it wasn't until one fateful day in January and some threads about enlargements and table linens that I came to know what a wonderful group of women inhabit this board.

I didn't have the pleasure of knowing everyone here as well while I was planning our wedding but nonetheless, I was embraced by you all the same and for that I feel blessed to call you my friends.

Now for some pictures since I never did a review!!!

Message edited 1/5/2008 11:03:57 PM.